Milk "does a body good," according to the old ad slogan.
Now, the question is which one?
Milk sales are down about 30 percent amid concerns about milk additives and lactose intolerance. Meanwhile, sales of milk alternatives have soared in recent years.
Which one is best for you?
Dawn Napoli, a registered dietitian at Orlando Health, visited Good Day Orlando to talk about the main milk alternatives and discuss their individual benefits.
Soy milk: This milk is made from soybeans (or edamame on many Japanese restaurant menus). Soy milk is made from soybeans in filtered water. Manufacturers remove a little bit of fiber but leave in a lot of the protein. If you're looking for an alternative that has at least the same amount of protein as cow's milk, soy milk may be the best choice.
Almond milk: This type of milk made similarly. It consists of almonds in filtered water. Almonds are soaked in water overnight, then ground up, and the large pieces are removed to leave a liquid milk. Almond milk is much lower in calories than cow's milk. It has the added benefit of extra omega-3s and fiber as well. If you're looking for a low-calorie cow's milk alternative, this is the best choice.
Rice milk: This milk is made from brown rice with added sweetener. It's a good alternative if you have a soy, nut or lactose allergy.
Let's not forget about the benefits of cow's milk. It's high in calcium and vitamins A and D. It's important to make sure the milk substitute you choose is fortified in those vitamins and minerals.
